Incoming Band Students
Tiger Band Powerpoint- this was shown at the Elementary Schools
tiger_band_powerpoint.pptm |
Summer Beginning Band Camp 2017 Information Coming Soon
About our Program
Joining band is the perfect way to make friends while learning to play an instrument and read music. There will be four band classes for the 2016-2017 school year: Symphonic Band, Concert Band, Intermediate Band and Beginning Band. We have an optional Jazz Band that anyone can join. There are several performance opportunities throughout the year. Read the band descriptions below to learn more.
Symphonic Band- Students are placed in this band based on an audition. The majority of students in this band will be in 8th grade, but incoming 7th graders can be placed in Symphonic band based on the director's discretion. Symphonic Band students play at a variety of events throughout the year including but not limited to Winter and Spring Concerts, Two High School Football Games, Music Performance Assessment, Solo and Ensemble, 6th Grade Orientation Night, Recruitment Concerts and audition for All-State or Clay County Honor Band. To perform for these events, students are required to do before or after school rehearsals as a part of their grade. At the end of the year, Symphonic Band members take a trip to attend a special workshop hosted by Disney and then attend The Magic Kingdom.
Concert Band- Concert Band is made of second year band students. Concert Band students attend the Junior High Marching Nights and perform at the Winter and Spring Concerts. 8th Grade Concert band students will attend the Disney Trip. Before or after School rehearsals may be required to prepare for the concerts but are not frequently scheduled.
Intermediate Band- Intermediate Band is made of students who have played before the start of the school year. These students have previous band experience whether they began learning their instruments in summer band camp or were in band during the last school year. Intermediate Band students will perform at least two concerts throughout the year.
Beginning Band- Beginning Band is for students who have never played a band instrument. You do not need to know how to read music to join beginning band, everyone is taught from scratch! Beginning Band students will perform at the Winter and Spring Band Concerts and are required to attend morning practices the week leading up to the concert.
***All of the events listed above are required and a part of your child's band grade. By choosing to do band, you understand that your child will need to be at before and after school activities as a part of their grade.
Frequently Asked Questions
What instruments are in the band?
Instruments that are included in a concert band are Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Oboe, Bassoon, Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba and Percussion.
How does my child sign up for band?
There are several ways to sign up for band. Your first opportunity is when LAJH sends home elective paperwork to the elementary schools. If your child decides to change his elective to join band, you can either email the 7th grade guidance counselor (Ms. Suedkamp) or email the band director Mrs. Jones at [email protected]. Electives can be changed up until the beginning of school.
Do you have to already know an instrument or read music to join band?
No! Beginning Band is designed for students who have never played any instrument before. Students will learn everything from scratch: how to read music, hold their instrument, play their instrument, and so much more! PLEASE DO NOT OBTAIN ANY INSTRUMENT BEFORE SCHOOL BEGINS AND WITHOUT CONTACTING THE DIRECTOR!
How will my child pick their instrument?
Every child will try every instrument prior to choosing the one that is right for them. The band director looks for certain characteristics on each instrument and will make notes. After every instrument has been tried, the director will conference with the child to see what they did well on and what the child thinks they would like to play. Together they will come to an agreement about which instrument the child will play. Instrument specific information will be sent to the parents shortly after.
My child wants to play the trumpet.
Well this last question was more of a statement. It is understood that some children will have preconceived ideas about what they want to play but several things factor into making a decision. First and most importantly is the success of the child. We do instrument trials to predict the best instrument for each child and sometimes that doesn't align with what they thought they wanted to play. Additionally, it is the Director's job to develop a well balanced band. A band with 10 drummers, 10 saxophones and 10 trumpets would not sound like a band!
Will I have to buy an instrument?
No, you will not have to buy an instrument, but an instrument will not be provided free of cost. The school owns some instruments that the student can rent for a yearly fee of approximately $45. Other instruments will need to be obtained through a local music store or some other means. Information on instrument selection and rental will be sent home after instrument trials in the first couple weeks of school. If there is a financial concern, please contact the director, as sometimes arrangements can be made.
I have an instrument at home. Can my child play it in band?
Maybe. The instrument you have at home may not be the right choice for your child. Before we assign instruments, each child will try every instrument. The director will make notes based on certain indicators and help your child find the instrument that they will be the most successful on. If your child does end up on the instrument that you have at home, you will need to bring it by an instrument repair shop to make sure that it is in good playing condition. The condition of the instrument can have a big impact on your child's success.
What will I need to get for band?
Specific information will be sent home during the first week of school, but things to expect include music books, reeds or mouthpieces, a binder, and accessories like cork grease, valve oil, slide grease and of course, instrument rental. Beginning Band students will need to purchase one of our Band Polo Shirts and a white tuxedo shirt. The cost of these shirts is included in our band fee. These will be used for Symphonic Band also.
My child has played an instrument before. Can they be in Symphonic Band?
If your child has played an instrument before and would like to play that same instrument in band, you can contact me and we can set up a time for your child to play for me. I will need to hear your child play before he can be in Symphonic Band.
What is the Band Fee/ Uniform Fee for?
Our Band Fee is $60.00 and helps to support the band. It pays for instruments, instrument repairs, music, buses for events, registration for events, and more. The Band Fee is very important to help our program run smoothly. Band receives little funding from the county and costs a lot to maintain. Music is important, and your help is greatly appreciated.
I'm concerned about the financial aspect of band. What should I do?
If buying the uniform or renting an instrument is a concern, please contact the director. Arrangements can often be made to help accommodate families.
Joining band is the perfect way to make friends while learning to play an instrument and read music. There will be four band classes for the 2016-2017 school year: Symphonic Band, Concert Band, Intermediate Band and Beginning Band. We have an optional Jazz Band that anyone can join. There are several performance opportunities throughout the year. Read the band descriptions below to learn more.
Symphonic Band- Students are placed in this band based on an audition. The majority of students in this band will be in 8th grade, but incoming 7th graders can be placed in Symphonic band based on the director's discretion. Symphonic Band students play at a variety of events throughout the year including but not limited to Winter and Spring Concerts, Two High School Football Games, Music Performance Assessment, Solo and Ensemble, 6th Grade Orientation Night, Recruitment Concerts and audition for All-State or Clay County Honor Band. To perform for these events, students are required to do before or after school rehearsals as a part of their grade. At the end of the year, Symphonic Band members take a trip to attend a special workshop hosted by Disney and then attend The Magic Kingdom.
Concert Band- Concert Band is made of second year band students. Concert Band students attend the Junior High Marching Nights and perform at the Winter and Spring Concerts. 8th Grade Concert band students will attend the Disney Trip. Before or after School rehearsals may be required to prepare for the concerts but are not frequently scheduled.
Intermediate Band- Intermediate Band is made of students who have played before the start of the school year. These students have previous band experience whether they began learning their instruments in summer band camp or were in band during the last school year. Intermediate Band students will perform at least two concerts throughout the year.
Beginning Band- Beginning Band is for students who have never played a band instrument. You do not need to know how to read music to join beginning band, everyone is taught from scratch! Beginning Band students will perform at the Winter and Spring Band Concerts and are required to attend morning practices the week leading up to the concert.
***All of the events listed above are required and a part of your child's band grade. By choosing to do band, you understand that your child will need to be at before and after school activities as a part of their grade.
Frequently Asked Questions
What instruments are in the band?
Instruments that are included in a concert band are Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Oboe, Bassoon, Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba and Percussion.
How does my child sign up for band?
There are several ways to sign up for band. Your first opportunity is when LAJH sends home elective paperwork to the elementary schools. If your child decides to change his elective to join band, you can either email the 7th grade guidance counselor (Ms. Suedkamp) or email the band director Mrs. Jones at [email protected]. Electives can be changed up until the beginning of school.
Do you have to already know an instrument or read music to join band?
No! Beginning Band is designed for students who have never played any instrument before. Students will learn everything from scratch: how to read music, hold their instrument, play their instrument, and so much more! PLEASE DO NOT OBTAIN ANY INSTRUMENT BEFORE SCHOOL BEGINS AND WITHOUT CONTACTING THE DIRECTOR!
How will my child pick their instrument?
Every child will try every instrument prior to choosing the one that is right for them. The band director looks for certain characteristics on each instrument and will make notes. After every instrument has been tried, the director will conference with the child to see what they did well on and what the child thinks they would like to play. Together they will come to an agreement about which instrument the child will play. Instrument specific information will be sent to the parents shortly after.
My child wants to play the trumpet.
Well this last question was more of a statement. It is understood that some children will have preconceived ideas about what they want to play but several things factor into making a decision. First and most importantly is the success of the child. We do instrument trials to predict the best instrument for each child and sometimes that doesn't align with what they thought they wanted to play. Additionally, it is the Director's job to develop a well balanced band. A band with 10 drummers, 10 saxophones and 10 trumpets would not sound like a band!
Will I have to buy an instrument?
No, you will not have to buy an instrument, but an instrument will not be provided free of cost. The school owns some instruments that the student can rent for a yearly fee of approximately $45. Other instruments will need to be obtained through a local music store or some other means. Information on instrument selection and rental will be sent home after instrument trials in the first couple weeks of school. If there is a financial concern, please contact the director, as sometimes arrangements can be made.
I have an instrument at home. Can my child play it in band?
Maybe. The instrument you have at home may not be the right choice for your child. Before we assign instruments, each child will try every instrument. The director will make notes based on certain indicators and help your child find the instrument that they will be the most successful on. If your child does end up on the instrument that you have at home, you will need to bring it by an instrument repair shop to make sure that it is in good playing condition. The condition of the instrument can have a big impact on your child's success.
What will I need to get for band?
Specific information will be sent home during the first week of school, but things to expect include music books, reeds or mouthpieces, a binder, and accessories like cork grease, valve oil, slide grease and of course, instrument rental. Beginning Band students will need to purchase one of our Band Polo Shirts and a white tuxedo shirt. The cost of these shirts is included in our band fee. These will be used for Symphonic Band also.
My child has played an instrument before. Can they be in Symphonic Band?
If your child has played an instrument before and would like to play that same instrument in band, you can contact me and we can set up a time for your child to play for me. I will need to hear your child play before he can be in Symphonic Band.
What is the Band Fee/ Uniform Fee for?
Our Band Fee is $60.00 and helps to support the band. It pays for instruments, instrument repairs, music, buses for events, registration for events, and more. The Band Fee is very important to help our program run smoothly. Band receives little funding from the county and costs a lot to maintain. Music is important, and your help is greatly appreciated.
I'm concerned about the financial aspect of band. What should I do?
If buying the uniform or renting an instrument is a concern, please contact the director. Arrangements can often be made to help accommodate families.